Senator John Faulkner says he “will continue to be a strong advocate of party reform”. Source: News Corp Australia

Senator Faulkner, 60, a stalwart of the NSW Labor Left, will become the final Hawke-Keating era minister to depart politics when he formally resigns from the Senate between late January and early February.

NSW Governor David Hurley is likely to be asked to appoint ALP national president Jenny McAllister as Senator Faulkner’s replacement.

During the ALP’s long stint in opposition, Senator Faulkner became known as a shrewd interrogator of government witnesses at Senate committee hearings.

Senator Faulkner said he owed the Labor Party “everything”, but ruled himself out as a candidate for national president or as a delegate to next year’s ALP national conference.

“I do intend to remain an active Labor Party member. Although I won’t be a delegate to the Party’s national conference, you will find me attending branch meetings, and supporting Labor candidates in local, state and federal elections,” he said in Canberra.

“And, as a rank-and-file member, I will continue to be a strong advocate of party reform.”

Asked if he might write a book – following recently published ALP colleagues Julia Gillard, Bob Carr, Kim Carr, Lindsay Tanner, Chris Bowen, Andrew Leigh, Maxine McKew and Jim Chalmers – Senator Faulkner said: “I think there are enough books on the bookshelves at the moment, so the answer to that question is ‘no’.”

Senator Faulkner was elevated to the Keating ministry in 1993 as minister for veterans affairs, defence science and personnel. He later served as minister for the environment, sport and territories.

In 2007, he was appointed Kevin Rudd’s special minister of state and cabinet secretary. He was later named defence minister but quit that role shortly after Ms Gillard’s ascension to the prime ministership in September 2010.

Bill Shorten described Senator Faulkner as a “custodian of the Light on the Hill and the best example of the Whitlam tradition”.

“He is an outstanding orator and parliamentarian. He is a fearless Senate Estimates examiner. A relentless pursuer of reform,” the Opposition Leader said.

“While ministers and departmental secretaries may not miss his formidable, forensic questioning, we will certainly miss his invaluable wisdom and his indomitable spirit.”

Labor frontbencher Anthony Albanese described Senator Faulkner as a man of “principle” and “integrity” who “has fought corruption and the abuse of power, wherever he has found it”.

“On a personal note, John has been a mentor, a supporter, and a source of astute political and personal advice to me for over 30 years.

“I will miss his presence as a valued member of Labor’s parliamentary team, but am sure he will maintain his unwavering commitment to the cause of Labor.”

Senator Faulkner’s latest successor as Labor Senate leader, Penny Wong, said he “set the standard for Labor on values, service and integrity”.

Labor backbencher Anthony Byrne said: “He truly was the embodiment of a parliamentarian who epitomised Labor values and principles. His legacy is enormous.”

Senator Faulkner will be succeeded as father of the Senate by Ian Macdonald, 69, a Queensland Liberal.